Can a Male Guest Wear White to a Wedding? (2024)

FAQs

Can a Male Guest Wear White to a Wedding? ›

Whether you attend a semi-formal, formal, or black-tie wedding event, odds are one rule will be universal: no white unless you're the bride. Indeed, it's generally bad form for men to wear white to a wedding, even if it's the best color.

Here are a few notorious fashion errors at weddings men should avoid: White: You don't wear white to a wedding. Sure, you're not going to be confused for the bride, but just don't. Not casual, not formal, just never.

You want to keep it cool without overdoing it and without going too simple. Rules of thumb? Don't wear a tux, do not wear sneakers, leave the jeans at home and forget the cufflinks. Think of it as being middle of the road – the guy who doesn't overdo it, who hits it just right.

If the wedding isn't taking place on the beach, however, you can bring a formal pair of heels to wear for the evening. As for men, wear either a suit or a long-sleeved shirt and tie with a jacket and slacks. Opt for solid colors, like beige and light blue, avoiding black, cream, and white, if possible.

Blue and white is such a popular color scheme for weddings! Many couples choose to have their wedding decor in these colors because they are classic and beautiful. If you are wondering if you can wear a blue and white dress to a wedding, the answer is most likely yes!

The last thing you want is for someone to mistake you for the bride or be in photographs where guests think you're trying to steal the spotlight. All in all, it's respectful and customary not to wear white as a guest to the wedding unless the bride specifically asks you to wear white or she says it's okay to wear it.

Except in select cases (which we'll cover below), the experts agree that wedding guests should still stay away from white dresses—and especially any that are long, that are lacy, or that read even slightly bridal. "The bride may or may not wear white (maybe ivory, maybe champagne), but it's her color for that day.

Wear a suit.

For a wedding with co*cktail attire, suits or suit separates are most acceptable for men's wedding guest attire. Navy blazers and sport coats are often popular for co*cktail events because as the evening moves on and the dancing begins, you can lose the jacket and get more comfortable.

It typically calls for a suit and dress shirt, but you can get by with a blazer or sports coat.

It doesn't matter if the dress code requests "casual" attire, jeans, T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and sneakers are never appropriate to wear as a wedding guest. Show respect for the bride and groom by dressing formally.

Can men wear white? ›

Yes, you can wear a pure white shirt with a white jacket, whether a linen sports coat for summer or a dinner jacket, but to do this successfully, you want to create a bit of contrast or differentiation between your two layers.

If the wedding has a seaside, casual, or neutral-coloured theme, white pants could be an appropriate choice, but only if the top you wear contrasts it. You should never go to a wedding wearing all white, so your shirt or blouse choice should not be a light colour that could photograph as white.

The most common beach wedding outfits for men include a button-down shirt, slacks or chinos and a suit jacket or blazer if it's a formal ceremony. Flowy maxi and midi dresses are common beach wedding outfits for women, but jumpsuits and dressy separates are also appropriate choices.

Whether you attend a semi-formal, formal, or black-tie wedding event, odds are one rule will be universal: no white unless you're the bride. Indeed, it's generally bad form for men to wear white to a wedding, even if it's the best color.

When it comes to patterned dresses, avoid styles with a white base, especially if the pattern is also a lighter color. As long as the white is minimal, all-over patterns that include white are acceptable.

"As far as I am concerned, if the dress is white with a print over it, it still is white," explains etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. "There is very little wiggle room when wearing a white dress. There will be multiple other times a guest can enjoy wearing her beautiful dress, but not on the bride's wedding day."

You could also check the wedding venue for clues on how to dress. What to Wear: Charcoal or Navy Suit, White or Solid Color Dress Shirt, Patterned Necktie, Bow Tie, or no tie. White Pocket Square, Cufflinks, and Brown Leather Shoes. Good advice never goes out of style.

A wedding suit should always have a sense of formality, no matter the dress code. If you want to wear sneakers with a wedding suit, it's best to keep them as minimalistic and clean as possible. White leather sneakers or brown leather sneakers are really the only acceptable option.

In most cases, you do want to avoid wearing white to a bridal shower as a guest (unless specifically stated in the invite). Why? It's traditional for the bride, or the couple, to wear white at the bridal shower.

"My rule of thumb usually is, if you have to question if the pattern or print has too much white, I would err on the side of caution and avoid it." Nathalie Cadet-James, founder of Luxe Fête Event Planning and Design Studio, further adds, "Hundreds of years of loving tradition tell us that only the bride is in white.